Bitter Gourd and Human Health

Abstract

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.; Family: Cucurbitaceae) is a vegetable with tropical and subtropical distribution. Bitter gourd fruit is a rich source of nutrients and ranks first among cucurbits for its nutritive value, being a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Natural antioxidants in bitter gourd are primarily plant phenolics and polyphenolic compounds derived from fruits and seeds, and thus are alternatives to replace synthetic antioxidants to enhance food quality. Fruit contains as many as 14 carotenoids (five at the immature stage, and six and 14 in the mature-green and ripe stages, respectively) and cryptoxanthin, which is the principal chloroplast- and chromoplast-based pigment in ripe fruit.